Drillers and the drilling industry have seen a surge of changes in products and technology, but some key aspects of the industry have changed very little during the past 20 years.
In the next 20 years, the drilling industry could see water shortages, water quality problems, more regulatory concerns and development of many new products and technologies.
Thirty-five million years ago, an object believed to be an asteroid or comet smashed into the Earth with such awesome and lasting force its cataclysmic effects are still being seen today.
Due to the MINExpo and World Mining Congress meeting at the same time in Las Vegas, Maddalena said MINExpo attendees are expected to include large numbers of people from abroad, especially nations such as Russia and Australia where mining is a big industry.